Rilievi epidemiologici e biomolecolari della toxoplasmosi in Sardegna

Toxoplasmosis is a foodborne zoonosis transmitted byToxoplasma gondii, a protozoan belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa of great medical and veterinary importance.Our research, conducted in four experimental phases, aimed to acquire epidemiological and biomolecular data on toxoplasmosis of sheep, pigs and goats reared in Sardinia (Italy).Briefly, in the 1st phase, ELISA test of sera and meat juice and Nested PCR approaches were used for a rapid and sensitive screening ofT. gondiiinfection in a randomized sample of 112 sheep slaughtered for human consumption. The 100% of the investigated animals were found positive at least one of the diagnostic techniques. During the 2nd phase, the immune response of sheep and goats reared together in the same flock was monitored. Seroprevalence significantly high found in sheep suggest a greater susceptibility of this species to infections withT. gondiicompared to goats.In the 3rd phase, it was evaluated the passage of IgG anti-T. gondiifrom 47 Sarda sheep to their respective lambs soon after birth. Serological analysis performed at different time indicate that passive immunity acquired via the colostrum in the lamb is protective for 3 months.Finally in the last phase a cross-sectional investigation was carried out on animals raised in 109 pig breedings and slaughtered for human consumption. Antibodies againstT. gondiiwere found in the 51.7% of the sera samples, while preliminary data on genotyping showed in pigs of the island the presence of the clonal lineage Type III.